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The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, has partnered with Aero Toyota Japan, with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to develop a high-resolution national base map to enhance infrastructure planning and development across the country.
The national base map is expected to support critical areas such as land management, disaster risk response, urban and rural planning, and transportation infrastructure.
During discussions on the initiative, stakeholders explored digital solutions aimed at addressing existing mapping gaps, strengthening disaster preparedness, and shaping the project’s technical direction ahead of a feasibility assessment mission.
According to Yuuki Kaneda of Aero Toyota Japan, the project will leverage OpenStreetMap technology to develop an enhanced national mapping system that will serve as a foundation for future development initiatives. The pilot phase will focus on the Western Area Urban District before a gradual nationwide rollout.
To ensure sustainability, the Japanese technical team committed to providing capacity-building support throughout the implementation process, equipping local teams with the necessary skills to manage and maintain the system.
DSTI Director and Chief Operating Officer Jasper P. Sembie reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing the initiative alongside other national geospatial projects.
Meanwhile, Buawah Jobo Samba, Land Advisor at the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, described the project as a Government-led programme that requires shared responsibility among stakeholders. He stressed that its success will depend on collaboration, institutional expertise, and collective commitment.
The initiative represents a major step towards establishing a modern and standardised national geospatial infrastructure, with the potential to improve evidence-based planning across public and private sectors while supporting Sierra Leone’s Digital Transformation Agenda.
